The Facts On File Algebra Handbook

number 2,978 to the nearest hundred, that next greatest value is

3,000. The guide used to determine if a number should be rounded

down or rounded up is that any number below 5 is rounded down,

and any number greater than or equal to 5 is rounded up.

rule method of specificationSeeDESCRIPTION METHOD OF

SPECIFICATION.

samplingUsing a SUBSETof a population to draw conclusions about the

characteristics of the overall population.

scale To change the DIMENSIONs of a figure horizontally, vertically,

or both.

scalene triangleATRIANGLEin which no two sides are equal in length.

See alsoSECTION IV CHARTS AND TABLES.

scientific notationAnumber written as a FACTORof any number between

1 and 10, multiplied by 10 with the corresponding EXPONENT.

For example, the scientific notation for 100 is 1 × 102 , for 1,264

is 1.264 × 103 , and for 0.029 is 2.9 × 10 –3. The exponent is

determined by how many places to the left or right the DECIMAL

POINTmoves to create a number between one and 10. 1,264

requires moving the decimal point three places to the left, giving

the scientific notation of 1.264 (for a number between one and 10)

× 103 (for 10 with the corresponding exponent of 3).

secant Any line that dissects a CIRCLEat two points.

second-degree equation (quadratic equation)An EQUATIONthat

contains a SQUARED TERM, which is also its highest POWERed term.

For example, x^2 = 16, x^2 + 5 = 14, and 3x+ 2x^2 – 9 =3, are all

second-degree equations. An equation containing an x^3 is a THIRD-

DEGREE EQUATION, an x^4 is a fourth-degree equation, x^5 is a fifth-

degree equation, and so on.

sense The direction in which an INEQUALITY SIGNpoints. If two signs point

the same way, they have the same sense; for example, 3 < 5 and x< 7.

If they point in opposite directions, they have opposite sense; for

example, 2 > xand x< 7.

sentenceSeeMATHEMATICAL SENTENCE.

sequenceAny ordered SETor list of quantities. The items in a sequence are

called TERMs.

GLOSSARY rule method of specification – sequence

GLOSSARY rule method of specification – sequence

Round angle

360 ̊

Secant

s

Scalene triangle